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STATE MyEagleNews.com Oregon State Police budget cuts could shutter nine offices and 39 positions in forensic laboratories and pathology operations, including sus- pending operations in Springfield and Central Point. Hampton said the over- all effect on forensic services would be “severe.” Another 39 would come out of head- quarters support, internet technology, central records, human resources and the office of professional standards and dispatch. Hampton said 18 positions assigned to training, procurement, fleet and the Oregon State Athletic Commis- sion would also fall to the budget ax. OSP woud remove all posi- tions from its Dignitary Protec- tion Unit and firearm investigative unit. The Oregon Fire Marshal Bureau would have its budget cut, but not lose any positions. It is funded by sources other than the state general fund. Posi- tions funded by Oregon Lottery and tribal gaming revenue could face cuts under other budget proposals. Hampton said “scenarios are end- less, complex and almost unimaginable to fathom” amid the crisis. But he chose to shutter offices and specific operations rather than taking a “thin-soup” approach and spread reductions across the entire force. “I would look to build this agency around our core mission — the pro- tection of people, property and natural resources,” he said. Hampton said the offices chosen for closure were near enough to stations that would remain open, making the reas- signments less onerous for those forced to move. Hampton told OSP personnel that the final outcome is unknown. “Team, there is no crystal ball for this job, but times like these deserve straight talk,” he said. “If our agency will be spared to a degree, or face more dras- tic reductions, we likely won’t know for many weeks.” OSP and other departments must now wait for the hard numbers to come down from analysts. “Now we do the hardest part, we wait for something beyond our control — the May 20th revenue forecast that will give us an idea what type of scenarios we are truly looking at,” he said. “Hang in there and look out for each other.” By Gary A. Warner For the Oregon Capital Bureau The Oregon State Police would make the “heartbreaking” deci- sion to lay off almost 200 person- nel and close nine field offices under a proposal submitted to Gov. Kate Brown. Brown has asked all state departments for how they would cut their budgets by 17% over the next year, the maximum the governor can order on her own. The numbers are expected to be a starting point for filling an expected $3 billion hole in revenue due to the eco- nomic impact of the COVID-19 pan- demic. The next budget forecast is set to be released May 20 by the state Office of Economic Analysis. OSP would implement an estimated $27 million reduction in its budget by cutting 199 positions and closing nine field offices in Prineville, La Pine, McMinnville, St. Helens, Albany, Herm- iston, Grants Pass, Government Camp and Tillamook. “This is a planning exercise — a hypothetical, and this is not a layoff notice,” said Oregon State Police Super- intendent Travis Hampton in a “straight- talk” statement to OSP staff released Tuesday afternoon. There was bipartisan support for keep- ing the budget knife away from OSP. “We are going to have to find a way to fund essential services, and that defi- nitely includes OSP,” said Sen. Betsy Johnson, D-Scappoose, one of the chairs of the Joint Ways & Means Committee in the Legislature. Rep. Jack Zika, R-Redmond, said lawmakers in both parties believe there needs to be a larger state police force. “This would be a steep cut — too steep,” Zika said. “They just hired a bunch of troopers — it costs about $100,000 to train each one. It doesn’t make sense to turn around and lay them off. That’s a cut to public safety.” Hampton told OSP personnel that Brown and the Legislature could also tap into the state’s “rainy day” funds to patch the budget gaps for OSP or other departments. But to meet the governor’s forecasting request, OSP would reduce or suspend 199 positions, including 102 positions in field operations and services bureaus Wednesday, May 20, 2020 A13 Most Oregon counties are given green light to lift many COVID-19 emergency limits equivalent of stepping out on ice without truly knowing how thick or thin it might be underfoot. “Reopening any part of our state comes with Gov. Kate Brown announced Thursday morn- risk,” Brown said. “This virus is still very danger- ing that most Oregon counties will be allowed ous. Until there is a reliable treatment or a vac- cine, unfortunately, we will not be to take the first step toward lifting able to go back to life as we knew emergency limits on activity put in it.” place since March by the COVID- But the fact that large swaths of 19 pandemic. the most populous areas won’t see In a phone-in press conference a change has Brown and state offi- Thursday, Brown said she realized cials worried that residents in those that the decision to reopen some areas could travel to areas such but not all counties would be seen as the Oregon coast, Deschutes as too little by residents who want County and cities like Eugene to accelerate an economic rebound where they can enjoy relative free- and too much by those concerned dom to eat, drink and socialize. that it could lead to another spike Pamplin Media Group photo That could expose the open coun- in infections. ties to outside infection from coun- “But my job is to make hard Governor Kate Brown ties that remain closed. decisions, even when they are wears a mask May 7. “We hope that people will stay unpopular,” Brown said. “When it close to home,” Brown said. comes to the health and safety of Oregon has recorded over 3,000 Oregonians, the buck stops here.” Those getting the green light for partial reopen- positive cases and 137 deaths during the corona- ing include Deschutes County in Central Oregon, virus pandemic. The state has recorded among Lane and Linn counties in the Willamette Valley the lowest per capita infections and deaths in the nation. and most southern and Eastern Oregon counties. Overall, about 1.4 million confirmed cases While most of Oregon’s 36 counties qualified to reopen, about 2.23 million residents — more of COVID-19 have been reported in the United than half the state’s estimated 4.22 million pop- States, with 85,601 deaths through Wednesday. ulation — live in counties not covered by Thurs- Worldwide, about 4.37 million have tested posi- tive and 298,000 have died. day’s decisions. Oregon counties were invited last week to sub- The state’s three largest counties — Mult- nomah, Washington and Clackamas — did not mit plans to have some of the restrictions under file a request, saying they were not yet prepared Brown’s March closure orders lifted. They had to meet a list of standards set by the to reopen. They represent nearly 1.8 million Oregon Health Authority, including evidence that residents. Marion and Polk counties, with a combined the county could test for COVID-19 infections population of about 417,000, had their applica- and had the staff available to trace the contacts of tions rejected because of concerns over high infec- anyone with a positive result. tion rates. Umatilla County, Jefferson County and Each county also had to account for its ability Morrow County applications were approved later to isolate positive cases, including homeless peo- ple who did not have the resources to do so on in the day Thursday. Among Oregon’s five largest counties, only their own. Counties had to show they could pro- one — Lane County at No. 5, which includes the vide medical care and hospital space if there was another outbreak. city of Eugene — can re-open. The next step will be to see if the loosened The patchwork of openings means that some counties will see restaurants, salons, gyms and restrictions will not lead to a spike in cases. In three weeks, each county’s infection statistics other establishments returning to business. Brown said the moves were a clear-eyed will be reviewed, including hospital use, ability attempt to balance the sometimes competing to trace cases and adherence to social distancing goals of public health and economic revival from guidelines. If successful, counties would be eligi- ble in June or early July to move on to less restric- a crisis that has put millions out of work. “The shared goals of good public health and tive controls, which have not fully been detailed a strong economy are intimately connected,” she yet. Larger group gatherings are one of the most said. “It’s not an either/or scenario. As we reopen likely results, as well as allowing more visits to parts of our economy, we know and expect that elder care facilities, which have been a major there may be an uptick in new coronavirus cases.” infection point. Brown encouraged residents to Brown said there will be no assured path retain the resolve and patience most have shown to both ensuring public health and allowing the so far, so that the isolation that led to a less-than- economy to recover in the foreseeable future. She expected impact on the state doesn’t go to waste likened the moves announced Thursday as the with a resurgence. By Gary A. Warner For the Oregon Capital Bureau THE CHOICE IS YOURS! ! 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